Utilities: Electricity, Gas & Water In Thailand

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Utilities: Electricity, Gas & Water In Thailand

The process of getting utilities connected in Thailand depends on whether the property is rented or owned.

For renters, the procedure will depend on the lease agreement, as landlords may provide all, some or none of the services included in the rental price. Home owners will have to arrange everything themselves.

Whether renting or owning a home the documents required by the utilities companies are:

• Passport or ID Card
• Condo Title Deed or House Registration Document (Tabien Baan) and/or the Land Title paper (Chanote)
• In rental accommodation: a letter from the landlord, copy of their Tabien Baan and copy of ID card or passport

Note: In general when renting, the landlord will take care of utilities and in most cases everything is connected when a tenant moves in.

Gas

There is no mains gas in Thailand. LPG (Propane) in Thailand is used mainly for cooking and is provided in different sized cylinders that are available from storefronts along most main roads and in just about every village. Look for shops with many gas cylinders stacked at the front. Prices vary depending on size and a deposit on the first bottle must be paid. When empty, the shopkeeper can deliver a new cylinder and remove the empty one or the cylinders can swapped at the shop.

Note: Some apartment blocks and high-rise buildings in the cities may have restrictions on the use of LPG, so it is essential to check with the building administrator.

• Further information on domestic and household gas from e-lpg: Click here

Electricity

In Bangkok the Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) is the distributor.

• The Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA)
  At: 30 Soi Chidlom, Ploenchit Road, Bangkok 10330
  Tel: 1130
  Fax: 02 253 1424
  Website

The Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) supplies electricity in the rest of Thailand.

• The Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA)
  At: 200 Ngam Wong Wan Road, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900
  Tel: 1129
  Fax: 02 589 4850 1
  Website
• For contact numbers for PEA regional offices: Click here
• Service numbers for power outages: Click here

To get connected

To connect or disconnect power to a home, contact the region's local government office responsible for electricity. At least one week's notice is required.

Billing

The government department will read the meter every month and provide a small printed bill which is usually placed in the mail box or under the front door.

Bills can be paid at shops such as 7-11 stores, post offices, banks or by direct debit, but must be paid by the end of each month. Bills paid after this date must be taken to the local electricity office.

Water

It is not recommended to drink the tap water in Thailand as it may be polluted from old pipes or at its main source. Brushing teeth is generally considered safe, but normal precautions should be taken.

Drinking water can be bought in the form of government regulated 20 litre water bottles. It is also possible to have an agreement with a water company who provide large bottles that fit onto water dispensers/fountains which are available at most department stores. A deposit on initial bottles is required. Bottled water is also available at all the normal outlets.

The Metropolitan Waterworks Authority of Thailand (MWA) provides mains water supply in Bangkok, Nonthaburi, and Samut Prakan.

• Metropolitan Waterworks Authority of Thailand (MWA)
  Tel: 1125
  Website
• For a list of MWA branch offices: Click here

Outside of Bangkok the Provincial Waterworks Authority (PWA) is responsible for supplying mains water.

• Provincial Waterworks Authority (PWA)
  Tel: 1567
  Website

To get connected

Many homes in Thailand use ground or surface water for their main source of water supply through the use of holding tanks or sunken wells. However, in other homes water is supplied through mains water supply provided by the Local Waterworks Department.

To get the water supply connected, telephone or visit one of the branch offices of the MWA or the PWA. At least one week's notice is required for connection or disconnection.

Billing

Bills can be paid at any one of the offices, at a payment service agents (for example at a post office) or by direct debit.

• For information on payment: Click here

Further Information

• Ministry of Energy
• See AngloINFO INFOrmation page Moving Home in Thailand
• See AngloINFO INFOrmation page Telephone & Internet Providers in Thailand
• See AngloINFO INFOrmation page Electricity & Home Appliances in Thailand